ὄζω (ozō)
ozō
to stink
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb ozō describes the act of emitting a distinct odor, functioning as a neutral term for "to smell" or "to give out an odour." While it can technically refer to any scent, its most striking usage in the New Testament highlights decay and death rather than fragrance. This is evident in John 11:39, where Martha objects to Jesus’ command to remove the stone covering Lazarus’s tomb, stating that the body has been there for four days and already "smells" (ozō). Here, the word conveys the unmistakable, offensive reality of decomposition.
Etymologically, ozō is a strengthened root form, emphasizing the intensity or distinctiveness of the scent. In the Septuagint, it translates the Hebrew ba’ash, which similarly denotes a stench, often associated with corruption or judgment. The sources note that while the word is technically neutral, its biblical application leans heavily toward the negative, capturing the physical evidence of mortality.
This single occurrence in John’s Gospel serves as a stark, sensory anchor for the narrative. By using ozō, the text does not shy away from the grotesque reality of death before Jesus’ intervention. The word forces the reader to confront the finality of the situation, making the subsequent miracle of resurrection all the more profound against the backdrop of physical decay.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ozō appears only once in the New Testament, carrying the heavy weight of decay and finality. In John 11:39, Martha uses it to describe the unmistakable stench of a body that has been dead for four days. This is not a gentle scent but the raw, physical evidence of mortality. The text does not soften this reality; it places the full horror of death before Jesus’ eyes.
Yet this moment is crucial for our faith. By confronting us with the absolute finality of death, the Gospel highlights the magnitude of Christ’s power. Resurrection is not a minor adjustment but a victory over the deepest decay. When we face situations that seem beyond repair, this word reminds us that Jesus operates where human hope ends.
We do not need to fear the brokenness of our lives. The same Lord who commands life out of stench meets us in our most difficult seasons. His power is not limited by the extent of the damage we see around us. We can trust Him with what seems irreparable, knowing that He brings life where there was only death.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he stinks;1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὄζει·1×
Key Verses
-
John 11:39
Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”
Martha uses this word to highlight the irreversible physical decay of Lazarus, emphasizing the impossibility of human intervention before Jesus acts.